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The beginner fly fisherman sometimes can become overwhelmed with all the information available on the sport from casting to entomology to how to read a stream. Singularly, all these elements can be broken down into simple and easy to learn parts that will make your days on the water an enjoyable journey into the world of the trout.

One skill to be a successful angler doesn't take precedence over the other. In their own way, each is an important part of the process of fly fishing. The skill developed of making a cast is as important as knowing what fly to use in order to be consistently successful. The same is true of fly selection and the techniques used to fish different types and styles of flies. Now the question becomes; where are the fish?

Itís often been said that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. I donít know where this statistic comes from or even if itís really accurate, but I do know fishermen who fish in the right place will do much better than those that donít. So letís take a look on how to identify those secret locations.

First, start thinking like a fish. If you do youíll quickly recognize two of the most important needs for survival are food and shelter. When both of these occur together youíre better than on the right track, youíre there. This is where you want to start your pursuit. These areas all have names that experienced anglers use to help in identification and in description when talking with each other. I donít mean specific location names like Trout Pool or Rainbow Riffle, but names descriptive of the type of water youíre faced with. The location names do exist but to get that information from many anglers would be like trying to get the Coke recipe.

The names Iím referring to are riffles, runs, pools and pocket water. Letís start with riffles. These areas are the part of the stream that has more of a down hill gradient that cause the water to have more velocity. A broken surface and somewhat of a gurgley appearance characterize it. A small rapid might give you the picture. These areas are higher in oxygen content and tend to be fertile with aquatic insect life. The broken surface makes seeing through the water difficult. It also makes it harder for trout and other fish to see out. To a fish, that equals cover. This cover and higher amount of food give two important elements that fish need; food and cover. The techniques youíll use vary with the behavior of the fish. When there are insects hatching and trout noticeably feeding from the surface a dry fly technique can be the most exciting method. At other times, nymphs, wet flies and streamers will also be effective.

Riffles run into pools. Pools are deeper, sometimes wider parts of the river or stream that act to slow the current. Their depth is where fish seek cover. Feeding fish can often be found near the top, or head, of the pool where current speed still provides the cover of a broken surface or at the shallow end, or tail of the pool where feeding on surface flies is easier but still the refuge of deeper water, to a fish, is just a tail flip away. Approach these areas carefully. Fish can easily see your approach and will hide in the deep water before you ever saw them.

As a pool spills down stream it creates a run. This is the area just upriver of where the water forms the next riffle. Fish like runs because again, they provide food and cover. Are you catching the theme, food and cover? Find it and youíll find the fish.

Pocket water is the type of water that has more velocity like a riffle, but also has many exposed rocks or boulders. These rocks and boulders form pockets behind and alongside them that provide hiding places for fish but also afford them ease in feeding on what the current brings to them. The pockets also give smaller baitfish places to hide and big fish do eat little fish. Some waters have lots of pocket water while others hardly have any.

Now that you have a visual picture of the looks and character of a stream or river it might seem that the entire place will be harboring trout. Well, not really. In each of these stream sections there will be parts that are simply more productive, parts that are more favored by trout and other fish. Identifying these sections isnít too difficult if you remember that food and cover are what fish are always seeking.

Break each river section down into components. What part of the riffle has the most or best cover? Are there deeper sections or sections with a more broken bottom, maybe larger stones? Keep in mind that fish are essentially lazy. They look to the current to bring them food. Current breaks, also called current seams, where two different currents meet allow the fish to hold in the slower current while watching the faster current for an easy meal. Where you see foam lines form youíll usually find hungry fish. The same water dynamics that congregate the foam and other bits of debris also congregate aquatic insects.

In pools you might find a large rock or a dead tree. Trout will use these as hiding places, lurking in the shadows with a watchful eye for an easy meal. Deeper and larger pockets in pocket water sections act as personal mini pools to trout.

In all water types, look to the banks. The deeper bank and those undercut by the current are also hiding places that trout frequent.

Yogi Berra said, you can observe a lot just by watching. On stream observation is the best way to hone your water reading skills. Lessons learned first hand are the ones most often remembered and used to your advantage. When you approach a river or stream donít instantly jump in. Take some time look around; watch the water for feeding fish. Sitting on the bank can be productive fishing time as long as you stay alert and enjoy the wonderful surroundings youíve chose to be in, a place of wonder and discovery.

Article courtesy of, Capt. Joe Demalderis, 2010 Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year!
For more information on Joe D. or to book a trip with Joe D, check out his website @ http://www.crosscurrentguideservice.com/

Joe doubles over as a real moonlighter and ladies man on the weekends. If you need some advice on how to pick up chicks from Joe, you might want to visit his website.